Senior Pastor Dave Rodriguez said the victim was a "very beloved volunteer" in the men's ministry.

"We're in shock," Rodriguez said.

The pastor described the grill as being larger than ones typically found at homes. He said it was owned by a member of the congregation.

The church draws about 5,000 worshippers each week, he said. Noblesville is about 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

About 400 men were expected to attend the cookout, which was canceled after the explosion, Rodriguez said.

It was the second tragedy to rock a central Indiana church in less than a month. A bus owned by Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis crashed exiting a highway July 27, killing a youth pastor, his wife and a third member of that congregation.